TOWN centre businesses are set to raise more than £500,000-a-year in a bid to bring more people into Colchester and cut the burden of parking costs.

A Business Improvement District is set to be launched in September which will see more than 750 businesses club together to improve Colchester’s town centre.

Each firm will pay a set amount according to its premises’ rateable value, into a central pot.

The cash will then be used to fund schemes such as free parking or cut-price parking days, extra street cleaning teams and even extra security in the evenings. Businesses are set to vote on the plans in June.

If a simple majority of firms back the plans, the Business Improvement District will get off the ground in September.

The scheme is backed by Colchester Council bosses but is being spearheaded by business groups such as Colchester Presents and Colchester Retail Businesses Association.

Paul Smith, leader of Colchester Council said: “This is something which has been in the offing for between 12 and 18 months.

“Businesses have told us there needs to be more promotion of the town centre and the best people who know what their businesses need are the business owners themselves.”

Mr Smith said although it would be up to the members to decide what the group’s cash is spent on, he expected proposals on cutting parking prices if shoppers spend over a certain amount in the town centre, introducing a free parking day once-a-month and additional street cleaning patrols.

But independent retailers have sought assurances they will see a return for their investment.

Elaine Jiggins, who runs Caffe Sala, in Eld Lane, said: “As with a lot of things, it sounds good but from an independent business’ perspective, it is a big decision to start a new outlay and you would have to be sure to be getting something.

Gazette: Elaine Jiggins at Cafe Sala, in Eld Lane, Colchester, where she thinks business has dropped since A boards have been banned..

“I would even say I would like to see a reduction in business rates if we are going to be forced to pay.

“There is no doubt, if a retailer like Fenwick is worried, we should all be worried and we have to take this seriously.

“What I don’t like the thought of businesses being made to pay when they don’t want to.”

Osman Rasih, chairman of Colchester Pub Watch and runs nightspot Silk Road, said: “Our issue is they have come to us with a lot of plans for the daytime economy, which is great, but that doesn’t really help us.

Gazette: Os Rasih who runs silk road in colchester

“I would say, firstly, we need to be shown what improvements there would be in the night time economy and as far as I am concerned, if there is money available for the night time, just give it to the police or the SOS bus - they are the ones which need it.”

The district would include High Street, Queen Street, Head Street, Crouch Street and North Hill.